After massacre, a prayer vigil
In a community grieving 26 victims, a Church of Christ opens its doors for service. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle The Stockdale Church of Christ in rural South Texas was enjoying a monthly fellowship meal when the horrible news came Sunday afternoon. Just a few miles away, a mass shooting at the First Baptist Church in the neighboring town of Sutherland Springs had claimed 26 … Continue reading After massacre, a prayer vigil
Satanic Temple billboard protesting corporal punishment rankles Texas town
By Bobby Ross Jr. | For Religion News Service Arther Culpepper, a sheet-metal mechanic and part-time pastor in the South Texas town of Three Rivers, first noticed the billboard out of the corner of his eye. He was driving south on U.S. Highway 281 — near the local Dairy Queen — when the message caught his attention: “Our religion doesn’t believe in hitting children.” The sign was … Continue reading Satanic Temple billboard protesting corporal punishment rankles Texas town
After media swamp grieving Texas town, one journalist suggests: ‘We can do better’
By Bobby Ross Jr. | GetReligion
Coverage of Sunday’s mass shooting at the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, Texas, sparked a must-read opinion piece by Dallas Morning News journalist Lauren McGaughy.
“Dear Sutherland Springs, you deserve an apology from the news media” is the headline atop McGaughy’s viral column.
I want to highlight McGaughy’s powerful words as we dive into GetReligion weekend think-piece territory a little early.
But first, a bit of personal background: My first experience with the national news media descending on a community struck by tragedy came more than two decades ago when the unfathomable happened in Oklahoma City.
On the morning of April 19, 1995, I had just stepped off The Oklahoman’s eighth-floor newsroom elevator when we heard a giant boom and saw billowing black smoke in the distance. I was one of the reporters dispatched to the scene.
In all, 168 people died in the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building — the worst terrorist attack on U.S. soil until 9/11 six years later.
When I arrived downtown, I parked with no problem. Hours later, I found my car surrounded by news vans and television satellite trucks. This was the biggest news story in the world — and would be for weeks.
• • •
All of my GetReligion columns (November 2017):
New Orleans church member shot dead after Sunday assembly
‘He wasn’t out there ripping and running,’ minister says of the victim. ‘He was a good kid.’ By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle After Hurricane Katrina, Charles and Angela Marsalis found their calling in New Orleans’ high-crime Hollygrove neighborhood — where both grew up. The couple started Bible studies for boys and girls on the front porch of a relative’s flood-damaged home, serving snacks and soft drinks in … Continue reading New Orleans church member shot dead after Sunday assembly
18 vans, 150 volunteers, 465 miles, one goal: to help Harvey victims
‘These people are amazing,’ says an Iranian immigrant grateful for the love shown after his family’s home flooded. First Place, In-depth Coverage, Associated Church Press Second Place, Best Reporter portfolio, Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle HOUSTON — The homeowner was shirtless and sweating. He was still angry — he admitted that much — over the devastation caused by Hurricane Harvey two months … Continue reading 18 vans, 150 volunteers, 465 miles, one goal: to help Harvey victims
Five reasons why churches should invest in security cameras
By Bobby Ross Jr. | For Church Law and Tax A mother accused a Sunday school teacher of molesting her young daughter. But the crime never happened — video from a church security camera proved the accusation false. A couple broke into a church intent on stealing the Sunday offering. But a camera captured their faces — and the surveillance footage was used to identify … Continue reading Five reasons why churches should invest in security cameras
After Harvey, ‘churches have done far more than the government’
Two months after the storm, Texas minister reflects on disaster relief and lessons learned. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle BEAUMONT, Texas — Tony Williams is tired. However, he insists he’s not burned out. Two months after Hurricane Harvey, the Westgate Church of Christ — where Williams serves as the preaching minister — remains active with disaster relief in this southeast Texas city of 120,000. “It’s tiring, … Continue reading After Harvey, ‘churches have done far more than the government’
For survivors of Tennessee church shooting, healing will take time and patience
‘You don’t ever get over those things. You just learn how to get through them,’ says a minister familiar with tragedy. First Place, News Story, Associated Church Press By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle The gunman took the love of Mavy Stoddard’s life. She refused to let him take her hope. “God’s been good to me,” said Stoddard, whose husband, Dorwan, 76, died … Continue reading For survivors of Tennessee church shooting, healing will take time and patience
‘The leprosy in my neighborhood is addiction’
Coleman Yoakum, director of Micah 6 Community, reflects on the challenges and opportunities of inner-city ministry. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle PONTIAC, Mich. — “You can’t be a Christian and do drugs. You know that, right?” Actually, Coleman Yoakum didn’t know that. Yoakum grew up in an unchurched household in rural Arkansas. He had this crazy dream: He’d go to film school, make movies and … Continue reading ‘The leprosy in my neighborhood is addiction’
Faith. Family. Fastballs. 